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Post by theshee on Aug 16, 2011 20:30:33 GMT 10
Polar blast brings NZ to standstill with freezing temperatures and the heaviest snowfall in 40 years.
Snow is even predicted to fall on the hills around Auckland in what meteorologists are describing as a once-in-a-lifetime storm.
A low-pressure system is deepening to New Zealand's south-east and has combined with a large high to the west to pull a polar air mass unusually far north over the nation, Josh Fisher, senior meteorologist with Weatherzone, said
ONE News meteorologist Jim Hickey said today's weather events were not a "traditional storm" and described it as an "Antarctic railway".
"It's not a depression, or a cyclone or a low with localised storms, rain and snow," Hickey said,
"The wind is coming from near Scott Base, over 3000km away."
Snow has also fallen in Wanganui on the North Island for the first time since about 1974
This once-in-a-lifetime event has already dropped 10 to 20 centimetres of snow over Christchurch and more is expected through today.
Airports were shut in Christchurch, Queenstown and Dunedin, where 150 stranded passengers were forced to stay the night.
Most main roads in the South Island were impassable. Police also closed the two main highways linking Auckland and Wellington on the North Island. Gale force winds caused downed trees and powerlines closing roads & schools.
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Post by brillbilly on Aug 16, 2011 20:45:07 GMT 10
Nothing regarding weather is normal anymore?
I dread to think what UK has in store for us this winter.
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Post by theshee on Aug 18, 2011 0:24:43 GMT 10
Ive noticed the birdies starting to gather in groups already Brill so maybe they know whats on its way to us in the UK
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Post by brillbilly on Aug 18, 2011 4:14:45 GMT 10
Ive noticed the birdies starting to gather in groups already Brill so maybe they know whats on its way to us in the UK The outcome will depend on what the sun does Get ya thermals ready shee
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